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August Parent Pointer Calendar for Families with High School Students

Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.
      1 Collect photos and memorabilia from your teen's high school years.  They make a treasured graduation gift. 2 Teens need to set aside time every day for schoolwork.  Establish a regular study schedule. 3 Make sure your teen writes down homework assignments.  Give him a planner or a small notebook. 4 Ask your teen to play a favorite song.  Talk about the lyrics.  Share one of your favorite songs with your teen.
5 Ask your teen to tell you who she communicates with on her phone and online. 6 Find out when your teen's teachers are available for conferences if needed. 7 Review school rules with your teen.  What is appropriate behavior?  Clothing?  Shoes? 8 Today is International Literacy Day.  Make sure everyone in your family has a library card. 9 Most schools send home a list of important phone numbers.  Post it somewhere handy near the phone. 10 Your teen may need special supplies for school.  Make plans to get them ahead of time - save some last minute panic! 11 Schedule some one-on-one time with your teen.  Perhaps you can have breakfast together today.
12 Join your school's PTA or PTO.  These organizations help schools and students in many ways. 13 Ask about each new class and new teacher.  Set aside time every day to talk to your teen about school. 14 Encourage your teen to spend 10 minutes at night getting ready for the next day to make mornings easier. 15 Emphasize the importance of school attendance.  Attendance is also important in the working world. 16 Stop by your teen's room at bedtime.  It's often a good time for conversation. 17 Today is Citizenship Day.  What does being a "good citizen" mean in your family?  In school? 18 Pick your battles.  On some subjects - sex, drugs - don't budge.  Look for compromises on others.
19 Challenge your teen to get fit.  Set up a fitness plan that includes some things you do together. 20 Most teens have some long-term assignments.  Help your teen break them down into smaller steps. 21 Go to the library.  Explore the nonfiction section.  Learn more about a subject that interests your teen. 22 Ask to see your teen's homework.  Talk about how school helps acquire useful knowledge for life. 23 Car crashes are the largest cause of teen deaths.  Make sure your teen buckles up. 24 Changing a tire is a skill every driver should know.  Teach your teen today. 25 Don't want your teen to "judge a book by its cover"?  Then don't judge your teen's friends by their clothes.
26 Make sure teachers know how to get in touch with you.  Send them your email address and phone numbers. 27 Offer to proofread a school paper for your teen.  It's a great way to see what she's reading and thinking. 28 Choose a letter from an advice column.  Read it aloud.  Then ask everyone to take a turn being the columnist. 29 Encourage your teen to keep a to-do list.  By writing things down, he is less likely to forget what he needs to do. 30 Kids who take part in extra-curricular activities do better in school.  Is there an activity that interests your teen?    

© 2004 Sioux Falls Parent Communication Network